Andy Burnham apologises for Labour's stance on Gaza and says it 'didn't get it right'

Exclusive: PM-in-waiting says party must ‘do better’ in approach to Middle East and he will put more pressure on Israel

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jul/09/andy-burnham-labour-didnt-get-it-right-stance-gaza-war



Andy Burnham has apologised for Labour’s initial response to Israel’s military action in Gaza, saying the party “didn’t get it right” and needs to “do better” under his leadership signalling a significant shift in the UK’s approach to the Middle East. The prime minister-in-waiting told the Guardian he would put more pressure on the Israeli government, including through further sanctions on individuals and entities, as well as a potential ban on the trade of goods with illegal settlements.

Burnham’s intervention starts to address concerns among voters on Labour’s progressive flank, many of whom have abandoned the party over its position on Israel and Palestine. “I know many people feel that at the start of Israel’s military action in Gaza my party didn’t get it right and I am sorry about that. The response has too often not been good enough. We need to do better,” he said. “We’ve got to do more to put pressure on the Israeli government … Yes, we have taken some important steps … But let’s be honest, the UK was too slow to call for a ceasefire. And we must now do more to strengthen our approach.”

However, he stopped short of describing what was happening on the ground in Gaza as a genocide – a central demand of some on the left – saying that while there was “increasing evidence” of war crimes, it was for the international courts to make that ruling. “I have been absolutely appalled by what I’ve seen and read about the destruction of Gaza. There’s increasing evidence that war crimes appear to have been committed,” he said. “There must be accountability for the depth of the suffering the people of Gaza have experienced. Ultimately, however, it must be for the international courts to determine, rather than politicians.”


People walking through the ruins of Khan Younis in Gaza in June. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

The Green party deputy leader, Mothin Ali, accused Burnham of hiding behind international courts “because admitting that the British government knows war crimes are being committed would trigger a legal duty to immediately halt arms sales”. Burnham’s apology may irritate Keir Starmer, whose interview on LBC radio shortly after Hamas had launched its devastating attack on Israel in October 2023, in which he said Israel “has the right” to withhold power and water from Gaza, upset many in the party. The Labour leader then took almost 10 days to clarify his remarks, further angering many Muslim and progressive voters. In 2025, Starmer came under months of pressure, including from his own cabinet ministers, before finally recognising Palestine as a state.

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